Tile and pan handling apparatus



Nov. 3, 1964 w. 1.. PEHOSKI TILE AND PAN HANDLING APPARATUS 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 10, 1962 l I INVENTOR. -J h/u 7'52 4. Pev/osx/Nov. 3, 1964 w. PEHOSKI TILE AND PAN HANDLING APPARATUS INVENTORM41752 1. Pawosk/ 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 flrra an Illii mu Filed Dec.

Nov. 3, 1964 w. L. PEHOSKI TILE AND PAN HANDLING APPARATUS 4Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 10, 1962 INVENTOR M44762 4. Pl/d-Sk/ Nov. 3,1964 w. L. PEHOSKI TILE AND PAN HANDLING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed Dec. 10, 1962 INV EN TOR.

Arron/v United States Patent 3,154,831 AND PAN HANDHNG APPARATUS WalterL. Pehoslri, St. Paul, Minn assignor, by mesne assignments, to Perl=TileQornpany, Minneapolis, Minn, a corporation of Minnesota Filed Dee. it1962, Ser. No. 243,434 Claims. (Cl. 2)

This invention relates to an apparatus to be used in connection withhandling concrete slabs. The apparatus herein is used in the final phaseof a process for forming such slabs, which slabs shall hereinafter bereferred to as tile. This tile is used in the construction of buildings,particularly industrial buildings, and is used as in connection withforming the roof structures thereof. The tile is formed in a pan and maybe variously sized such as on the order or" four and six foot lengthsand two foot widths, and such sizes in this tile represent substantialweight. After a curing process the tile must be removed from the pan.The weight of the tile is such that expedient and economical handlingrequires the use of suitable mechanical apparatus. This inventiontherefore relates to the apparatus for removing such tile from tile panson a substantially automatic basis. It is desirable to have such anapparatus as requires a minimum of manual attention in feeding stacks ofsaid tile-loaded pans to the apparatus and in separating the tile fromsaid pans, and further -elivering said tile and pans to their respectivestations.

it is an object of this invention therefore to provide an apparatus foran automatic operation relative to the separation of tile from the tilepans containing the same.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide an automaticcyclical operation for the separation of tile from their respective tilepans and the delivery of each to separate stations.

it is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus having apair of arms to receive a tile and a pan from a staclz, means moving thesame to a receiving table receiving said tile and pan in invertedcondition, means agitating said table to loosen said tile in said pan,and means automatically removing said pan from said tile for delivery ofsaid pan and tile to their respective stations.

ft is also an object of this invention to provide means coordinating thevarious functions of applicants apparatus and causing various functionsthereof to be carried out simultaneously.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fullyset forth in the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer tosimilar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in front elevation and partially in perspective ofapplicants apparatus with some portions thereof being broken away;

PEG. 2 is a view in end elevation and is partially diagrammatic of apicants general arrangement with portions thereof shown in dotted line, aportion thereof in section, and a portion shown in diiferentpositions;

FIG. 2A is a view in vertical section showing detail of construction ofa portion of applicants apparatus on an enlarged scale;

PEG. 3 is a top plan view of a portion of applicants apparatus withportions shown in alternate position in dotted line; and

FIG. 4 is a general schematic arrangement of applicants apparatus inconnection with its hydraulic system with portions of its electricalsystem indicated in connection therewith.

Witt. reference to the drawings, applicants apparatus 1% comprises a rir of spaced vertical columns or posts 12 and 14 substantiallyrectangular in cross section having suitable footings and havingvertical front edge portions "ice 12a and 14a and vertical rear edgeportions 12b and 14b and integral with said rear edge portionssubstantially the full height thereof are gear racks 16 and 17.

Carried on said columns is a carriage assembly 18 comprising asubstantially rectangular frame 19 horizontally disposed here showncomprising a horizontal vertically disposed rear plate 20, a front angleframe member 21 enclosed at their respective ends by hub-like endsportions 22 and 23 respectively embracing said columns, said columnsbeing arranged and constructed to form vertical tracks in associationwith said hub portion for vertical movement of said carriage.

Mounted vertically on an open substantially rectangular frame 24upstanding from said hub portion 23 is a double acting hydrauliccylinder A having its piston integral with a depending gear rack 28.Mounted in said hub portions in engagement with said gear racks 16 and17 are gears 29 and keyed to a shaft 31 extending therebetween andjournaled between said hub portions and carried on said shaft and keyedthereto adjacent the gear is a pinion 32 which in turn is engaged anddriven by said rack 28. The up and down travel of said carriage assemblyrelative to said columns is thus performed through the operation of saidhydraulic cylinder A. Extending outwardly endwise of said hub portion 23is a plate bracket 25 and extending endwise of said hub portion 22 is aguard plate 25.

Disposed longitudinally within said'carriage assembly is a shaft havingits end portions a and 35b respectively journaled into said bearingblocks or pillow blocks 93 supported on brackets 33 respectivelyintegral with said hub portions .42 and 23 and said end portion 35aextends into a locking engagement with a hydraulic rotary oscillatingmember B of conventional design such as the commonly used Rotac. Saidmember B by means of a supportin bracket is integral with said hubportion 22.

Keyed to said shaft 35 adjacent said bearing blocks is a pair ofbrackets and 41 extending outwardly at right angles to said shaft havingpivoted to their free ends by pivots 42 forked or bifurcated arms 4 and45 arranged and constructed to swing towards and away from one to be infolded position parallel to said shaft or in extended position at rightangles to said shaft.

Said arms are operatively associated by a connecting rod pivoted at oneend to a crank 49 rigid with said arm 45' and pivoted at its other endto a crank 50 rigid with said arm 44, said crank with reference to FIG.2 being here shown at an angle of approximately 45 degrees disposedinwardly and downwardly relative to said arm 44 in extended position.

A double acting hydraulic cylinder (1 is shown pivotally supported by abracket 53 carried on said shaft 35 with the free end of the piston 51of said hydraulic cylinder being pivoted to a crank 53arigid with saidarm 45, said crank being shown angled inwardly and downwardly atapprorimately 45 degrees relative to said arm in extended position. Thusit is seen that an extension of said piston 51 will swing arm 45inwardly causing the connecting rod 43 to move the crank 53 to swing arm44 inwardly whereby said arms will be in a folded position.

Integral with said hydraulic cylinder B is an inverted L bracket 53.Adjacent said bracket 53 is a ground supported upstanding framework 5 5having a pulley 55 mounted at the upper end portion thereof having acable 55 passing over said pulley having a Weight 57 carried at one endthereof and having its other end secured to said bracket?- Said wei htserves as a counter-weight or counter-balance in connection with thevertical movement of said parriage assembly 13.

Located adjacent the forward portion of applicants apparatus ill? is anendless conveyor 60 of small height comprising a pair of spaced sprocketchains er passing over sprockets 62 and having their upper runsoverlying by inflating or deflating said air hose.

supporting flange portions of the side members of said conveyor. A motor64 drives said sprockets. This conveyor is of conventional design and isconstructed to support stacks of tile pans 65 containing tile 67, whichtile have been cured in said pans. Said pans are indicated formed with aflange thereabout and adapted to stack. The upper run of said conveyorwill move in the direction towards said apparatus and is hereillustrated of a length to hold a front and rear stack of said tile pans66.

Positioned rearwardly of said apparatus in a cooperative associationtherewith and shown in some detail in FIG. 2A is a table member 70arranged and constructed to form in combination a shaker or vibratorportion and a conveyor portion to receive tile pans from said carriageassembly 18 to loosen the tile in said pans for the separation of thetile and the pans and to advance said tile on a conveyor after removalof said pans. This structure is believed to be shown in sufficientdetail in sectional view for an adequate understanding of the same.

The structure of said table member 75 generally comprises a basicrectangular leg supported frame 71 having integral therewithlongitudinal side frame members 72. A second frame 73 forming a shakertable is supported by springs 73a resting on said side members 72 andhas a vibrator motor 74 mounted therebeneath in a conventionalapplication. Said second frame has spaced stub 'arms 75 angled outwardlyto receive and hold a tile pan and tile somewhat above the plane of theupper surface of longitudinal tile supporting members 75a.

An endless belt conveyor 76, hereafter referred to as a tile conveyor,having its upper run supported on a plate member not shown is positionedwithin said second frame free from engagement therewith and is suitablysupported on said side members 72 by its leg portions 76a independentlyof said second frame. Said leg portions respectively rest on pairs of Uframe members 77 horizontally'disposed at either side of said basicframe supported on said side members 72 and being arranged andconstructed to have the upper of said U members of each pair nestontothe lower members thereof to form a telescopic construction with eachpair of said U frame members having a low pressure air hose 78 disposedtherebetween and being suitably connected to a source of air underpressure and controlled by a solenoid. Thus the upper of said U membersare raised or lowered Thus when a tileis lowered onto said tile supports75a, it is free from engagement with said conveyor until said conveyoris raised. Said conveyor is in raised position in FIG. 2A. A motor 79 isprovided for driving said conveyor. EX-

' tending forwardly of said table and conveyor member 79 thereof havinga shaft 83 journaled in said posts with said shaft having arms 84 atright angles thereto keyed thereto and carried adjacent either endthereof. Said arms are. elongated members with conventional swingingfingers 84a and rear ledge portions 84b arranged and constructed topickup a tile pan from said member 74 to lift it free of the tile thereinand carry it through an arc of 180 degrees to deposit the same onto anadjacent conveyor which'will be described and to automatically freeitself of said pan uponv delivery of the same to said conveyor. Inconnection with said shaft 83 and carried by said member 80 is a rotaryhydraulic cylinder D to oscillate saidfshaftand the arms carriedthereby.

A conventional design of a roller type ofconveyor 90 is indicatedhereafter referred to as a pan conveyor and having a portion thereofpositioned alongside of'sa'id member 80 to receivetile pans therefromand comprising a base 91, upstanding legs 92 and a plurality of rollers93. Driving means are conventional and not here shown. This conveyor isindicated as running continuously during the operation of applicantsapparatus. Said members 70, and are spaced apart relative to the lengthof said arms 84 whereby said arms may readily pick up tile pans fromsaid member 70 and deliver the same to said conveyor 90. The height ofthe rollers of said conveyor 90 will be such that said arms 84 indepositing a pan thereon will have room to drop sufficiently betweenadjacent rollers to become released and disengaged from said pan.

With reference to FIG. 4, the hydraulic system in connection with theoperation of applicants apparatus is indicated schematically. Aconventional design of hydraulic system is used and a detailedihustration and description thereof is not believed necessary for oneskilled in the art; An oil reservoir 95 is indicated with a pump 96 anda motor 97 in connection therewith. The motor will be energized in aconventional manner. Lines 100 and 101 carry the supply and return ofoil in connection with the system.

Lines 102 and 193 run to hydraulic cylinder A which in turn raises andlowers the carriage -18. Solenoids 1 and 2 control the valves inconnection with the passage of oil through these lines. A holding valve114 is used in connection with this hydraulic cylinder.

Lines 106 and 167 run to the rotary hydraulic cylinder B which in turnoscillates the shaft 35 and the arms carried thereby. Solenoids 4 and 5control the valves in connection with the passage of oil through theselines.

Lines 104 and 105 supply the hydraulic cylinder C and a single solenoidspring return valve 112 in connection with these lines is controlled bya solenoid 3. Said valve is normally open for a reason which willhereinafter be indicated.

Lines 108 and 169 supply the rotary hydraulic cylinder D with solenoids6 and 7 controlling the valves in connection with these lines.

The valves indicated in connection with the system are conventionalmanual regulating valves.

An air solenoid 9 is indicated in connection with the air hose 78. Thesource of such air and the lines carrying the same are conventional andare not here shown but are merely indicated by the presence of saidsolenoid 9 as a control member.

V In describing the operation of the hydraulic system, reference will behad to the solenoids in connection with the action of the respectivehydraulic cylinders involved without reference to intervening structure.

The above hydraulic system is actuated by an electrical system and morespecifically by the use of microswitches in connection with theelectrical system. As will be described, the switches-are engaged byvarious operating parts of applicants apparatus to energize thesolenoids with which they are respectively associated. As will be noted,several portions of applicants apparatus maybe caused to functionsimultaneously in a coordinated effort. Through the use of multiplecontact relays applicants microswitches mayenergize one or moresolenoids as will be described. The cooperative effect of applicantsapparatus provides adequate information to indicate to one skilled inthe art how to physically lay out the'wiring system and connect thenecessary relay to bring about the described operation. Hence it is notbelieved necessary to' illustrate the wiring system.

The microswitches and other switches will be located and theirrespective functions will be set forth in the following description andin the operation of applicantsapparatus' The microswitches will beindicated by the characters LS indicating a limit switch followed by anumeral. 1 a

Microswitch LS1 is located on the leading edge portionsof the tile panstack conveyor 60, as indicated in 15116; 2. Microswitches LS2 and LS3are carried on the mounting plate 12c supported on the column 12 withthe plungers of said switches being positioned to be respectivelyengaged by annular cams 35c and 35d in alignment therewith and carriedon the .end portion 35:: of the shaft 35, as indicated in FIG. 1. Saidcams will be out of phase with one another to the extent of 180 degrees.

lvlicroswitch LS4 is carried on the member 70, as indicated in FIGS. 2and 2A positioned to be engaged by the arm 45 when in lowered extendedposition.

The microswitches LS5 and LS6 are carried in spaced position on theshaft 35, as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3, having extended reaching rodsadapted to be engaged by collars 48a and 48b carried on the connectingrod as.

The microswitch LS7 is carried on the forward portion of the hub portion23 of the carriage assembly 1% and is adapted to be engaged by a tilepan 6:; when the same is stacked on the conveyor 61 and as the carriage18 is lowered thereto.

A manual switch 69 is indicated on the plate member 25 for energizingthe electrical system and will run to a source of power. A manual switch65 is also indicated for manual control of the motor 64 which drives theconveyor chain 61.

A bank of relays are merely indicated by the character 68 mounted on theplate member 25.

Operation To commence the operation of applicants apparatus, a stack oftile filled pans 613 will be deposited onto the conveyor 69 rearwardlythereof, as by a fork lift truck. The manual switch 6S will be closed toconnect the electrical system with a supply of current.

The switch LS1 is normally closed when free of any overlying pressure.Thus with the closing of the manual switch 69, switch LS1 automatic. llyenergizes the motor 64 to move said stack of tile pans forwardly. Theleading bottom edge portion of the lowermost tile pan will engage switchLS1 and open the same.

At this point the shaft 35 and arms carried thereby will be in aforwardly facing rotated position withsaid arms being folded. This is astopping position as to the operation of the apparatus, as willhereinafter be explained. Also as will hereinafter be described, thecarriage and related structure will complete a cycle and return todesoend or become lowered in the irection of the stack of tile pans withsaid arms in folded position.

As the carriage 18 is lowered, the switch LS7 engages the uppermost tilepan, which engagement closes said switch and two functions as a resultare performed. The switch LS7 through a sequence of relays contacts thesolenoid 2 to halt the downward movement of the carriage 18 inconnection with the holding valve 110 to position the carriage to alignthe arms 44 and 45 with the uppermost tile pan and secondly; said switchLS7 deenergizes the solenoid 3 to permit the valve 112 to assume itsnormal function of causing said hydraulic cylinder C to extend itspiston to cause said arms 44 and $5 to extend outwardly to receive saiduppermost pan. Thus said arms normally are in extended position so thatin the event of a breakdown of the electrical system with the arms beingloaded with a tile pan, said arms will remain in extended position.

As said arms 44 and 45 are extended, the connecting rod 48 is moved tocause the collar 48b to engage and close the switch LS5, which switchengages the solenoid 1 and actuates the hydraulic cylinder A to raisethe carriage 18.

As carriage 18 is raised, with reference to FIG. 1, the cam 35: engagesthe switch LS2 closing the same; Said switch through a sequence ofrelays causes three functions to be performed. It causes the solenoid 1through valve 116 to halt the action of said hydraulic cylinder to holdsaid carriage at its upper limit of travel; said switch furtherenergizes solenoid 4 to cause hydraulic cylinder 6 B to rotate the shaft35 through 180 degrees to have its arms face rearwardly and the tile pancontained in said arms is thus inverted; and further said switchenergizes the solenoid 6 to cause the hydraulic rotary cylinder D torotate the pan removing arms 84 from a pan pickup position overlying thetile conveyor 76 into the direction of the pan conveyor 90.

As the rotation of the shaft 35 through 180 degrees is completed, thepan arms '74 extend over the pan conveyor 96, the cam 35c disengagesfrom switch LS2, and the cam 35d engages and closes the switch LS3,which switch energizes the solenoid 2 causing the hydraulic cylinder Ato lower the carriage 13 in the direction of the table member 70 withthe extended arms 44 and 45 holding a tile filled pan in positionoverlying said table member. Said table member comprises the shakertable '73 and the tile conveyor 76. It is understood that said tile panis now in inverted position with the tile therein facing downwardly.

Said carriage is lowered to the point that the extended arm 45 engagesand closes the switch LS4. At this point the cam 3541 is disengaged fromthe switch LS3. At the point of engagement with the switch LS4, the tilepan and tile is placed onto the supporting arms 75.

The closing of the switch LS4 causes two functions to be performed. Saidswitch LS4 energizes the vibrating motor 4 causing the shaker table 73to shake and loosen the tile within the tile pan. At the same timethrough a sequence of relays, said switch LS4 energizes solenoid 3 toactuate the hydraulic cylinder C to retract and fold the arms 4 and -35.

As the arms 44 and 45 become folded, the switch LS5 becomes engaged andclosed by the member 43a carried on the connecting rod 48 and twofunctions are caused to be performed. Said switch LS5 energizes thesolenoid 1 causing the hydraulic cylinder A to raise the carriage 18 andat the same t me through a sequence of relays said switch energizes thesolenoid 7 causing the rotary hydraulic cylinder D to swing or rotatethe pan removing arms 84 through 180 degrees from the pan conveyor 8 tothe tile pan on the shaker table 73.

As the carriage reaches its upper limit of travel, the cam 35c engagesand closes the switch LS2 and causes four functions to be performed.Said switch LS2 is put into circuit with the solenoidl which causes thevalve to halt the upward movement of said carriage and hold the same atits upper limit; it energizes the solenoid 5 actuating rotary hydrauliccylinder B to cause a forward rotation of degrees of the shaft 35 andarms carried thereby with said arms in folded position; it opens thecircuit of said vibrator motor '74 stopping the shaking of said shakertable 73; and it causes the solenoid 6 to become energized and actuaterotary hydraulic cylinder D to rotate the pan arms 84 through 180degrees from the shaker table '73 to the pan conveyor 9%, said armshaving engaged the pan on the shaker table 73 at the instant that theshaking of said table stopped.

When said shaft and arms have been rotated through 180 degrees, the cam35c will become disengaged from the switch LS2 and the cam 35d engagesthe switch LS3 closing the same.

Said switch LS3 causes two functions to be performed. Said switchenergizes solenoid 2 causing the hydraulic cylinder A to lower thecarriage 18 and it energizes the air solenoid 9 to cause the inflationof the air hose 7% which raises the tile conveyor 76 into engagementwith the tile 67. As said conveyor 76 is raised, the motor 79 isenergized to drive said conveyor forwardly and advance the tile thereononto an adjacent conveyor for delivery to a desired station.

A complete cycle has now been described. In commencing the next cycle,the carriage 18 in being lowered causes the switch LS7 to engage theuppermost of the tile pans stacked on the conveyor 65? and the nextcycle is under way.

As the next cycle proceeds, during the time that the switch LS3 causesthe carriage to be lowered in the direction of the shaker table and tileconveyor, said switch LS3 will open the circuit of the air solenoid 9causing the tile conveyor to become lowered and the motor driving saidconveyor to become deenergized.

When the last tile pan on the tile stack conveyor 60 has been removedbefore closing down the apparatus for the day or for the job, theapparatus will complete its cycle in connection with said last tile panand commence thenext cycle thereafter with the conveyor 60 empty of anytile pans. With the last tile pan removed, the switch LS1 resumes itsnormally closed condition. The switch LS7 descends with the carriage 18without engaging a tile pan and thus remains in opened condition. At thelower limit of travel of said carriage, the switch LS1 through asequence of relays causes the carriage to become raised to its upperlimit of travel and be there stopped. When the use of the apparatus isnext resumed, the cycle thus commenced will be completed before a tilepan is picked up. The system is deenergized by operation of the manualswitch 69.

After the last tile and pan have been deposited onto the shaker table73,the next cycle is merely commenced to the point of the carriage18.lowering and raising'with the arms 44 and 45 facing in a forwardposition to raise the tile conveyor 76 to advance the last tiledeposited thereon. Thus the whole apparatus is cleared of any tilebefore shutting down.

The applicant presents and discloses a relatively simple yet eflicientlycoordinated structure to carry out a plurality of functionssimultaneously in handling tile laden pans of substantial weight,separating the tile and pans and respectively dispatching said tile andpans to respective stations.

' of applicants invention which, generally stated, consists in anapparatus capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in theparts, and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is: a lIAn apparatus separating tile pans from tileformed therein in connection with a stack ofitile laden pans having incombination,

a carriage, a

means supporting said carriage for vertical movement,

a carriage moving means carried by said first mentioned means,

said carriage comprising retractable pan receiving means andsupporting'oscillating means for said pan receiving means,

means supporting said stack of tile laden pans forwardly of saidcarriage supporting means,

a supporting member rearwardly of said carriage supportingmeanscomprising a vibrating means and a tile removing means, p I

a pan removing means in connection with said supporting member,

manual means energizing said apparatus,

means in connection with said stack supporting means arranged with saidcarriage supporting means to position said carriage in alignment withthe uppermost "of said tile laden pans to commence a cyclerof operationwhen said apparatus is initially energized,

means on said carriage engaged by the uppermost of said actuated tilereceiving means actuating said carriage moving meansto raise saidcarriage,- said raised carriage actuating said oscillating means tooscillate rearwardly said pan receiving means and 8 said tile laden panin connection therewith inverting said pan,

said oscillating means upon completion of its cycle of oscillationactuating said carriage moving means to lower said carriage and depositsaid tile laden pan carried by said tile pan receiving means onto saidsupporting member,

means on said supporting member engaged by said carriage to actuatesimultaneously said pan receiving means and said vibrating means, saidpan receiving means retracting to release said tile laden pan on saidsupporting member,

said retracted pan receiving means actuating said carriage moving meansto raise said carriage and simultaneously to actuate said pan removingmeans to engage said pan,

said raised carriage actuating said oscillating means to oscillateforwardly said pan receiving means and simultaneously deactivating saidvibrating means and actuating said pan removing means to remove said panfrom said supporting member, and

said oscillated pan receiving means actuating said carriage moving meansto lower said carriage in position to commence a new cycle of operationand simultaneously actuating said tile removing means to remove saidtile from said supporting member.

2. An apparatus separating tile pans from tile formed therein inconnection with a stack of tile laden panshaving in combination,

a carriage, means supporting said carriage for vertical movement,carriage moving means carried by said last mentioned means,

said carriage comprising retractable pan receiving means, meansoscillating said pan receiving means carried by said carriage,

- means forwardly of said carriage supporting a stack of tile ladenpans,

a supporting member rearwardly of said carriage comprising a tile ladenpan vibrating means and a tile removing means,

.a pan removing means in operative association with a first meanscarried by said carriage actuated by said actuated tile pan receivingmeans to actuate said carriage moving means to move said carriage to araised position, 7 V V r means on said supporting means engaged by saidraised carriage to actuate said oscillating means to move said panreceiving means rearwardly through degrees to invert said pan carried bysaid pan receiving means, means on'said supporting me'ansengaged by saidoscillating means to actuate said carriage moving means to lower saidcarriage to deposit said tile laden pan onto said supporting member, 7 7means in connection with said supporting member engaged by said lowercarriage simultaneously actuating said pan receiving means to retractand release said tile laden pan and actuating said vibrating means, 1 asecond 'means carried by said carriage engaged by said panrec'eivingmeans in retracted condition to actuate said carriage movingmeans to raise said 'carriage and simultaneously actuating said panremoving means to engage said tile pan on said vibrating means,

means on sm'd supporting means engaged by said raised carriage actuatingsaid oscillating means to rotate said pan receiving means forwardly andsimultaneously deactivating said vibrating means and actuating said panremoving means to remove said pan free of the tile therein from saidsupporting member, and

means on said supporting means engaged by said pan receiving means whenoscillated forwardly actuating said carriage moving means to lower saidcarriage in position to commence a new cycle of operation and actuatingsaid tile removing means to remove said tile from said supportingmember.

3. An apparatus separating tile pans from tile formed therein inconnection with a stack of tile laden pans having in combination,

a supporting framework comprising spaced columns,

a carriage movable vertically of said columns,

a carriage moving means carried by said framework,

a retractable tile pan receiving means carried by said carriage,

oscillating means on said carriage moving said tile pan receiving meansrearwardly and forwardly,

conveying means supporting a stack of tile laden pans forwardly of saidframework,

manual means energizing said apparatus,

means in connection with said conveying means being arranged to positionsaid carriage to commence a cycle of operation when said apparatus isfirst energized by said manual means,

means on said carriage, with said carriage in said operating position,engaging said uppermost tile laden pan to actuate said tile panreceiving means to receive said uppermost tile laden pan,

means on said carriage actuated by said actuated tile receiving means toactuate said carriage moving means to raise said carriage,

means on said framework engaged by said raised carriage to actuate saidoscillating means to move said tile pan receiving means rearwardlythrough 180 degrees to invert the tile laden pan carried by it,

a supporting member rearwardly of said framework comprising a vibratingmeans and a tile removing means,

a tile pan removing means in association with said supporting member,

said oscillating means in oscillated condition actuating said carriagemoving means to lower said carriage to position said tile laden pan ontosaid supporting member,

means carried by said supporting member engaged by said lower carriageactuating said vibrating means and actuating said tile pan receivingmeans to retract from said tile pan,

said tile pan retracting means simultaneously in retracted conditionactuating said carriage moving means to raise said carriage andactuating said tile pan removing means to engage said tile pan,

means carried by said framework engaged by said raised carriagedeactivating said vibrating means and simultaneously actuating said tilepan removing means to remove said tile pan from said supporting member,and actuating said oscillating means to oscillate said pan receivingmeans forwardly through 180 degrees, and

means on said framework engaged by said osciflating means upon theforward oscillation of said pan receiving means actuating said carriagemoving means to lower said carriage to commence a new cycle of operationand simultaneously actuating said tile removing means.

4. An apparatus separating tile pans from tile fomed therein inconnection with a stack of tile laden pans having in combination,

a framework having a pair of upstanding columns,

a carriage movable vertically of said columns having an oscillatabletile pan receiving means in connec tion therewith and oscillating meanstherefor,

carriage moving means carried by said framework,

means forwardly of said framework supporting a stack of tile laden pansand being arranged to actuate said carriage moving means to positionsaid carriage in alignment with the uppermost tile laden pan of saidstack of the same in commencing a cycle of operation when said apparatusis initially put into operation,

means on said carriage engaging the uppermost tile laden pan of thestack of the same to actuate said pan receiving means to receive saiduppermost tile laden pan,

said carriage moving means actuated by said pan receiving means to movesaid carriage to a raised position,

means on said framework engaged by said raised carriage to actuate saidoscillating means to oscillate said tile .pan receiving means rearwardlyto invert said tile laden pan carried thereby,

a supporting member in operative association with said frameworkrear-wardly thereof and comprising a tile laden pan vibrating means anda tile removing means,

means on said framework engaged 'by said rearwardly oscillated panreceiving means to actuate said carriage moving means to lower saidcarriage to position said tile laden pan onto said supporting member,

means on said supporting member engaged by said lowered cmriage toactuate said tile pan receiving means to release said tile laden pan andsimultaneously to actuate said vibrating means,

means on said carriage actuated by said pan receiving means releasingsaid tile laden pan to actuate said carriage moving means to raise saidcarriage,

a pan removing means in operative association with said supportingmember,

said means on said framework engaged by said raised carriage actuatingsaid oscillating means to oscillate said pan receiving means forwardlyand simultaneously to deactivate said vibrating means and actuate saidpan removing means to engage said pan, and

means on said framework engaged by said for-Ward oscillation of said panreceiving'means actuating said carriage moving means to lower saidcarriage to position the same relative to said stack of tile laden pansto commence another cycle of operation and simultaneously actuating saidtile removing means to remove said tile from said supporting member.

5. An apparatus separating tile pans from tile formed therein inconnection with a stack of tile laden pans having in combination,

a supporting framework comprising a pair of spaced columns, a carriagemovable vertically of said columns comprisin a rotatable shaft journaledtherein and a' pair of spaced forked arms carried by said shaftswingable radially thereof to extended or retracted position,

hydraulic means carried on said framework moving said carriage, i

hydraulic rotary means mounted on said carriage rotating said shaft andarms,

hydraulic means carried by said shaft extending and retracting saidarms,

a loading conveyor forwardly of said framework carrying said stack oftile laden pans,

a supporting member rearwardly of said framework comprising a tile ladenpan vibrating means and tile removing means in association therewith,

pan removing means adjacent said supporting member in operativeassociation therewith,

manual means energizing said apparatus,

means in connection with said loading conveyor actuated by said stack oftile laden pans,

said first hydraulic means actuated by said last mentioned means toposition said carriage relative to said stack of tile laden pans tocommence a cycle of operation when the operation of said apparatus isfirst commenced,

means carried by said carriage actuated by engagement with the uppermostof said tile laden pans of said stack of the same to actuate said thirdhydraulic means to extend said pan receiving arms to receive theuppermost of said tile laden pans,

means carried by said shaft engaged by said extended arms to actuatesaid first hydraulic cylinder to move said carriage to a raisedposition,

means carried by said framework engaged by said raised carriage toactuate said hydraulic cylinder to rotate said shaft reanwardly,

means on said framework engaged by said rotated shaft to actuate saidfirst hydraulic means to lower said carriage to deposit said tile ladenpan onto said supporting member,

means on said supporting member engaged by said lowered carriage toactuate simultaneously said vibrating means to vibrate said tile ladenpan deposited on said supporting member and said third to rotate saidshaft forwardly, to actuate said pan removing means to remove said panfrom said supporting member and to deactivate said vibrating means, and

said forwardly rotated shaft engaging said means actuating said firsthydraulic cylinder to lower said carriage relative to said stack of tileladen pans to commence a new cycle of operation and simultaneously saidmeans actuatesaid tile removing means to remove said tile from saidsupportingmember.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS976,243 Zagelmeyer Nov. 22, 1910 1,454,051 Heulings May 8, 19232,269,557 Sexton Jan. 13, 1942 3,011,665 Wise Dec. 5, 1961 3,032,851Gibbs May 8, 1962 7 FOREIGN PATENTS I "1,062,188 France Dec. 2, 1953

1. AN APPARATUS SEPARATING TILE PANS FROM TILE FORMED THEREIN INCONNECTION WITH A STACK OF TILE LADEN PANS HAVING IN COMBINATION, ACARRIAGE, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID CARRIAGE FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT, ACARRIAGE MOVING MEANS CARRIED BY SAID FIRST MENTIONED MEANS, SAIDCARRIAGE COMPRISING RETRACTABLE PAN RECEIVING MEANS AND SUPPORTINGOSCILLATING MEANS FOR SAID PAN RECEIVING MEANS, MEANS SUPPORTING SAIDSTACK OF TILE LADEN PANS FORWARDLY OF SAID CARRIAGE SUPPORTING MEANS, ASUPPORTING MEMBER REARWARDLY OF SAID CARRIAGE SUPPORTING MEANSCOMPRISING A VIBRATING MEANS AND A TILE REMOVING MEANS, A PAN REMOVINGMEANS IN CONNECTION WITH SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER, MANUAL MEANS ENERGIZINGSAID APPARATUS, MEANS IN CONNECTION WITH SAID STACK SUPPORTING MEANSARRANGED WITH SAID CARRIAGE SUPPORTING MEANS TO POSITION SAID CARRIAGEIN ALIGNMENT WITH THE UPPERMOST OF SAID TILE LADEN PANS TO COMMENCE ACYCLE OF OPERATION WHEN SAID APPARATUS IS INITIALLY ENERGIZED, MEANS ONSAID CARRIAGE ENGAGED BY THE UPPERMOST OF SAID TILE LADEN PANS TOACTUATE SAID PAN RECEIVING MEANS TO RECEIVE SAID UPPERMOST OF SAID TILELADEN PANS, SAID ACTUATED TILE RECEIVING MEANS ACTUATING SAID CARRIAGEMOVING MEANS TO RAISE SAID CARRIAGE, SAID RAISED CARRIAGE ACTUATING SAIDOSCILLATING MEANS TO OSCILLATE REARWARDLY SAID PAN RECEIVING MEANS ANDSAID TILE LADEN PAN IN CONNECTION THEREWITH INVERTING SAID PAN,